Olefinic amorphous curable terpolymers of alpha-olefins and polycyclic orthocondensed polyenes having one or more conjugated alkylidene substituents and process for the production thereof



United States Patent US. Cl. 260--79.5 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A vulcanizable amorphous terpolymer is produced by blowing a gaseous mixture of ethylene and propylene into a solvent, such as n-heptane, then charging the reactor with an orthocondensed polycyclic polyene, such as 1- isopropylidene-4, 7, 7a, 3a-tetrahydroindene, containing an alkylidene substituent conjugated with a double bond which is part of the cyclic ring, the reaction being efiected in the presence of a catalytic system consisting of a derivative of a transition metal of the IV or V Group of the Periodic Table and of an aluminum compound having the general formula Al-RXY, where R is an alkyl radical of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or'a hydrogen atom,

and X and Y can be' hydrogen, an alkyl radical of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a halogen, or a residue of a secondary amine.

This invention relates to a novel class of curable amorphous terpolymers consisting of ethylene, alpha olefins and orthocondensed polycyclic polyenes substituted with an alkylidene type grouping whose double bond is conjugated with at least a double bond of one of the cyclic rings. I

It is known to prepare terpolymers starting from olefins and diolefins so as to obtain polymers which, on the one hand, afford the stability advantages proper to the-polyolefins, and which, on the other hand, on account of the presence of the double bonds, can be cured with the methods conventionally used for the natural rubbers.

Not all the diolefins, however, can be used as the monomers with ethylene and propylene, since a few-of them show a tendency towards the formation of chains containing blocks of a homopolymeric nature, so that the distribution of the double bonds is uneven throughout the whole terpolymer. Other diolefins have, conversely,.a very low reactivity and, in practice, they do not take part in the polymerization reaction while still other diolefins would end to inhibitthe polymerization reaction. I

The diolefins which show a tendency towards inhibiting the polymerization reaction are, generally, the conjugated diolefins, it being known; in fact, that it is difiicult to ob I and the like.

3,464,959 liatented Sept. 2, 1969 ice 7 Examples of third monomers which can, be employed are: 1

1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene 7' T C \CH3 1( lphenyl)ethylidene-4,7,7a,3atetrahydroindene C615 CHa V 1-isopropylidene-bicyclo- (4.4.0) -decadiene-2,6

2-isopropylidene-bicyclo-(4.4.0)-decadiene-3,6

v 0 H3 r 1-isopropylidene-4-methyl-bicyclo-(4.3.0)-nonadiene-2,S

l5 7 01 3: oHa

3-isopropylidene-8-methy1-bicyc1o-(4.4K))-decadiene-4,6

' i CH3 A few of these compounds can be readilyobtained by a Diels-Alderreactionof fulvenes, or 3 -isopropylidenecyclohexadiene-1,4 or their alkyl substituted derivatives with conjugated polyenes such as butadiene, 2,3-dimethylbuta tain terpolymers having saisfactory properties whenever a diene', isoprene, piperylene, 1,3-hexadiene and the like. It is moreover possible to employ as the'third monomer the reaction mixture of theDiels-Alder reaction comprising, besides the products aforementioned, also the dimers of the polyenes and the dimers of the alkylidenecyclo'alkenesf The two olefins which, with the polyene, form the terpolymer are selected among alpha-mono-olefins having from '2 to 6 carbon atoms and, more particularly, are

ethylene and propylene.

' For the polymerization there have been employed catalyst systems 'of the co-ordinatedanion type, tormed by a bonds of the cyclic rings. 1

derivative of the transition metal oi the IV and of the V Group of the Periodic Table and derivatives of aluminum selected in the following classes: the first class comprises i the compounds having the general formula wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atomfX and Y, equal or different, can be hydrogen, alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 atoms of carbon, halogens or derivatives of secondary amines. Anothercl'ass is formed by compounds having the general formula MeAl-R., wherein Me is an alkali metal and R has the meaning; indicated above.

These compounds can alsobe formed into complexes with Lewis bases.

Examples of these compounds are:

Examples of compounds of transition metals are: VCL VOCl vanadium triacetylacetonate, VClO(OC H VCl .3THF (THF=tetrahydrofuran), TiCl and the like.

The terpolymers thus obtained, once they have been cured (gum stock) exhibit outstanding mechanical properties such as for example:

Modulus at 100% elongation ranging from to 25 kgs./

sq. cm.

Tensile strength ranging from 20 to 50 kgs./ sq. cm.

Elongation at break ranging from 250 to 750%.

Permanent set after break not higher than 20%.

The satisfactory properties which have been observed are indicative of an even distribution of the double bonds throughout the chain. On the other hand the analysis of the contents of double bonds in the polymer, measured with infrared radiations, exhibits a percentage of polyenes ranging from '1 to 10%.

It is also possible to obtain higher percentages of unsaturations but this, obviously, renders the polymer less economical.

The polymerization temperature is between -30 C. and +40 C. and the working pressures are between 1 and 50 atmospheres. The reaction can be carried out, but this is in no way compulsory, in solvents which generally are selected among aromatic, aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons and also saturated or unsaturated chlorinated hydrocarbons.

The procedure for recovering the polymer and also the compound formulations are those usually employed in the art. 1

The following examples illustrate the invention without however limiting it.

Example 1 An 800-mls. glass reactor is charged, under a nitrogen stream, with 400 mls. of anhydrous n-heptane. The apparatus is fitted with an efiicient stirring device, dropping funnel and sheathed thermometer and is placed on a thermostatic bath at 0 C., being maintained at this temperature. throughout the whole polymerization time.

In the n-heptane a gaseous mixture of ethylene and propylene is blown, having a molar ratio of propylene to ethylene of 2.5 to 1, with a rate of flow of 200 normal liters an hour, for a period of about 30 mins. In order that the saturation equilibrium may be easily attained, the solvent is vigorously stirred and the gaseous mixture is brought through the bottom of the reactor, which is suitably dimensioned so as to afford a quick dispersion of the gas into n-heptane. The reactor is now charged with millimoles per liter of Al(n-C H while keeping the solvent vigorously stirred: then, 0.117 mole per liter of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene are introduced.

The terpolymerization reaction is primed by further introducing into the reactor 5 millimoles per liter of VCl while, at the same time, continually blowing into the catalyst solution a gaseous stream of ethylene and propylene having the initial composition and rate of flow.

The polymerization is carried out for 20 mins., it being stopped byfthe addition of a few mls. of ethanol to the reaction solution.

The final solution is coagulated by pouring it, with vigorous stirring, into a vessel containing ethanol and acetone in equal proportions and 10% of hydrochloric acid.

From the coagulating bath there is obtained an amber colored elastomer having the aspect of uncured rubber.

It ispurified by dissolving it in toluene, after having added to the solvent 0.5 gr. of beta-naphthylamine, and subsequent precipitation from ethanol. After drying in an oven under vacuum at 50 C., the product obtained weighs 5.1 grs. When examined with X-rays it proves to be essentially amorphous and the determination of the intrinsic viscosity, performed in tetrahydronaphthalene at C., gives [1;]:159 dl./gr. The evaluation of the ethylene contents indicates thatthe elastomer fabricated contains about 46% ethylene in moles. The infrared spectrum of the products shows bands in the absorption region 5=CH outside the plane of th ecyclo-olefins, where the monomer has very intense bands; typical absorptions can be observed at 14.2 and 14.85 microns. Also the N.M.R. spectrum shows a peak at 1.3 p.p.m. which can be attributed to the isopropylidene methyl radicals.

A fraction of the elastomer produced has been subjected to cure according to the following compound formulation:

Terpolymer parts 100 Stearic acid do 0.5 ZnO do 5 Sulfur do.. 2 Z-mercaptobenzthiazole do 1 Tetramethyl-thiuram disulphide do 2 Curing temperature C Curing time mins 20 The determination of a few mechanical properties of the vulcanized product has been the following results:

Modulus at 100% elongation kgs./sq. cm 20 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 29 Elongation at break percent 271 Permanent set after breaking do 8 Example 2 The preceding example is repeated, the only difference being that the working temperature is 20 C. After 20 mins. polymerization there are obtained 7.9 grs. of an elastomer which is totally amorphous when examined with X rays and has ]=2.2 dL/gr. The ethylene content in terms of mols. is about 35%.

After vulcanization according to the mix formulation of Example 1 the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 100% elongation kgs./sq.crn 10 Tensile strength kgs./ sq. cm 20 Elongation at break percent 291 Permanent set after break do 4 Example 3 The procedure is as in the preceding example, except that 44.0 millimoles per liter of l-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,- 3a-tetrahydroindene and a molar ratio propylene to ethylene of 0.9 to 1 are adopted. After 5 mins. polymerization there are obtained 12.5 grs. of an elastomer which is amorphous at X-ray examination and has a[v ]=2.74 dL/gr. The ethylene contents in terms of mols. is about 52%. i

After a vulcanization according to the procedure indicated in'Example 1 the following results are obtained:

Modulus at'300% elongation kgs./sq. cm 22 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm '39 Elongationat break percent.. 445

Permanent set after break d 17 Example 4 The preceding example is repeated with the only exception that there is employed mls. of a reaction mixture of butadiene and 6,6'-dimethyl fulvene, essentially consisting of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3adetrahydroidene, bis-'(3,79-isopropylidenedicyclopentadiene 1,9 and 4- vinyl-cyclohexene-l.

After 3 mins. polymerization there are obtained 13.9 grs. of an elastomer' which is totally amorphous at X-ray examination and has ]=1.63 dl./ gr. The ethylene content in terms of mols. is about 35%.

Upon vulcanization according to the compound formulation of Example 1, the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq.cm 12 Tensile strength kgs./ sq. cm 27 Elongation at break percent 610 Permanent set after break do 19 Example 5 The apparatus and the precedure described in Example 1 are adopted, by charging the reactor kept at 20 C. with 400 mls. of anhydrous n-heptane, 15 millimoles per liter of Al(iso-C H 44.0 milimoles per liter of 1- isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 5 millimoles per liter of VOCl and employing a gaseous stream of propylene-ethylene having a molar ratio 3.0 to 1.

After mins, polymerization there are obtained 5.6 grs. of an elastorner which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and has [1;] =3.44 dl./ gr. and exhibits an ethylene content in terms of mols. of about 48%.

After vulcanization according to the procedure set forth in Example 1 the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs. /sq.cr n 23 Tensile strength 'kgs./sq. cm 72 Elongation at break percent 620 I Example 6 According to the procedure set forth in Example 1 there are introduced into the reactor kept at 20 C.: 350 mls. of n-heptane, and 44.0 mililrnoles per liter of l-isopropylidene 4,7,7a,3a tetrahydroindene which are saturated with a mixture of propylene and ethylene hav-' ing a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1."In a separate reactor, 10 millimoles -of Al(C H C1 and 2 millimoles of VC1 are caused to interact in 50 mls. of n-heptane, kept at 20 C., for a period of mins. V

- The catalyst solution is siphoned, under a nitrogen stream, .into the reactor, the polymerization being carried on for 10 mins.; there are thus recovered 6.9 grs. of an elastorner which is totally amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits an ethylenecontent, in terms of mols., of about 35%. The intrinsic viscosity measurements give ;]=2.01 dL/gr. j V

the following results are obtained:

" Upon curing,

Modulus at 100% elongation kgs./sq.cm 14 Elongation at break -2121---;- percent 279 Permanent set after break' do 8 Example 7 Al(C H After 15 mins., polymerization there are obtained 2.9 grs. of an elastomer' which is totally amorphous at X-ray examination and which exhibits an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of about 70%, while [1 is 2.82 dL/gr. The cure of an elastorner sample, effected according to the compound formulation of Example 1, permits of performing the following measurements:

Modulus at 300% elongation l gs./sq.cm 49 Tensile strength kgs./sq.-cm 53 Elongation at break percent 470 Permanent set after break do I 6 Example 8 Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq.cm 2 3 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 37 Elongation at break percent 437 Permanent set after break do 8 Example 9 The apparatus described in Example 1 is adopted,

keeping it at 0. C. and, using the same procedure, the reactor is charged with 360 mls. n-heptane, 44.0 millimoles per liter of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 3 millimoles of Al(C H )Cl while saturating the solvent with a mixture of propylene and ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.0 to 1. The polymerization is primed by adding simultaneously and continually throughout the whole reaction time, 2 millimoles of VCl and 7 millimoles of Al(C H )Cl each dissolved in 20 mls. n-heptane.

After 27 mins. polymerization there are obtained 13.2 grs. of an elastorner which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits an [v7]=3.95 dl./gr. and an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of 44%.

After vulcanization according to the mix formulation of Example 1 the following results are obtained;

Modulus at elongation kgs./sq. cm 21 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 51 Elongation at break percent 308 Permanent set after break do 4 Example 10 I The same procedure of the preceding example is adopted with the only exception that the working temperature is 20 C. and that there is employed a catalyst system consisting of: 7 millimoles per liter of vocnoc np and 35 millimoles per liter of Al(C H Cl. Before dropping the components of the catalyst system, throughout the whole polymerization time, there are introduced in the 360. mls. of n-heptane, 19.7 millimoles per liter of Al(C H Cl.

After 20 mins. polymerization there are obtained 11.2 grs. of an elastorner which is amorphous at X ray examination and exhibits [1;]:=1.02 dL/gr. and an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of about 61%.

After curing according to the procedure of Example 1,

the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq.cm l5 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 20 Elongation at break percent 360 Permanent set after break do 4 7 Example 11 By operating with the apparatus described in Example 1, kept at 20 C., and with the same method, the reactor is charged with 400 mls. toluene, 44.0 millimoles per liter of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, millimoles per liter of'Al(C H Cl, and 2 millimoles of VCl -3(C H O); and a gaseous stream of ethylene/ propylene having a molar ratio of l to 1.7 is employed. After 10 mins. polymerization there are obtained 8.4 grs. of an elastomer which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits an [171 1.19 dl./gr. and an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of about 62%.

Upon vulcanization according to the mix formulation of Example 1 the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 100% elongation kgs./sq. cm 9 Tensile strength kgs./sq.cm 25 Elongation at break percent 420 Permanent set after break do 8 Example 12 The apparatus set forth in Example 1 is employed and kept at 20 C., and with the same procedure the reactor is charged with 400 mls. toluene, 88.0 millimoles per liter of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 22.7 millimoles per liter of LiAl(n-C H 15.9 millimoles per liter of TiCl and there is employed a gaseous stream of propylene/ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1.

After 10 mins. reaction there are obtained 10.2 grs. of an elastomer which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits [1;]:256 dl./ gr. and an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of about 53%. Upon curing the following data have been obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./s cm 7 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 17 Elongation at break "percent" 790 Example 13 In a way quite similar to that described in Example 1, the reactor, maintained at 20 C., is charged with 400 mls. of n-heptane, 22.0 millimoles per liter of l-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 15 millimoles per liter of AlHClN(CH 10 millimoles per liter of VCL, and a gaseous stream of propylene and ethylene having a molar ratio 2.5 to 1. After 15 mins. polymerization, there are obtained 10.8 grs. of an elastomer which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits [1;]:20 dl./gr., while the ethylene content, in terms of mols., is about 42%.

Upon vulcanization according to the specifications set forth in Example 1, the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq.cm 27.6 Tensile strength kgs./sq.cm 38.2 Elongation at break percent 530 Permanent set after break do 19 Example 14 The reactor, maintained at 20 C., and which is a part of the implementation described in Example 1 is charged, with the usual method, with 400 mls. of nheptane, 44.0 millimoles per liter of l-isopropylidenebicycle-(4,4,0)-decadiene-2.6); 25.0 millimoles per liter of AlHCl O(C H 10.0 millimoles per liter of VCL; while simultaneously blowing a gaseous mixture propylene/ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1.

After 15 mins. polymerization, there are obtained 8.3 grs. of an elastomer which is amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits [1;]=2.01 'dl./gr., while the ethylene content, in terms of mols., is 40%. The infrared spectrum of the obtained polymer shows bands in the region of the absorptions 8=C H outside the plane of the cycloolefins where the monomer has very intense bands: typical absorptions can be observed at 14.2 and 14.85 microns. Also the N.M.R. 'spectrumshows a peak at 8 1.3 p.p.m. which can be attributed to the isopropylidenic methyl groupings. Mechanical measurements elfected on a vulcanized sample have given the following results:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq. cm 15 Tensile strength k-gs./sq.cm 3 2 Elongation at break percent 725 Example 15 By employing the usual apparatus at 20 C., there are employed 400 mls. of n-heptane, a gaseous mixture of propylene and ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1, 29.5 millimoles per liter of 2-isopropylidene-bicyclo (4.4.0)-decadiene-3,6,l5 millimoles per liter of 1O millimoles per liter of VCl After 20 mins. reaction, there are obtained 8.1 grs. of an elastomer which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits [1 =2.54 dr./gr. and an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of 43%.

The mechanical measurements give, after the vulcanization, the following results:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs.-/sq. cm 16 Tensile strength kgs./sq.cm 28 Elongation at break percent 780 Example 16 Similarly to what has been described in Example 1, the reactor, maintained at 20 C., is charged with 400 mls. of n-heptane, 13.5 millimoles per liter of Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq. cm 26 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 54 Elongation at break percent 620 Example 17 According to the procedure described in Example 1 the reactor, thermostatically maintained at 20 C., is charged with 400 mls. of n-heptane, 60 millimoles per liter of H AlN(CH 44.0 millimoles per liter of 3-isopropylidene-5,8 dimethyl-bicyclo-(4.4.0)decadiene- 4,6, 7.5 millimoles per liter of VC1 employing a gaseous stream of propylene/ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1.

After 15 mins. polymerization, there are obtained 4.2 grs. of an elastomer which exhibits [1 ]=3.34 dl./ gr. and an ethylene content, in terms of mols., of about 57%.

The measurements of a few mechanical properties, effected on a vulcanized sample according to the compolnnd formulation of Example 1, give the following resu ts:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq. cm 24 Tensile strength 7 ....kgs./sq.cm 58 Elongation at break percent 700 Example 18 In the apparatus described in Example 1, having the reactor thermostatically maintained at 20 0;, there are introduced 400 mls. of n-heptane, 15 millimoles per liter of A1(n-C H 0.139 mols. per liter of 1(1' penyl)-ethylidene-4,7,a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 5 millimoles per liter of VCl by employing a gaseous stream propylene/ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1.

9. After '15 mins. polymerization there are obtained grs. of an elastomer which is completely amorphous 'at-X-r-ay examination and exhibits [17] 1.86 dl./ gr. and an ethylene content in terms of mols. of 39% ;The infrared spectrum of the obtained polymer shows bands in the region of absorption pC,H outside the plane of the cyclo-olefins where the monomer has very intense bands: typical absorptions can be observed at 14.2, 14.85 and 14.35microns.

Upon curing according to the formulation of Example 1, the following'results have been obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation kgs./sq. cm 24.7 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 29.5 Elongation at break percent 340 Permanent set after break do 4 Example 19 The preceding'ex'ample is repeated with the only exception that there are: employed 58.0 millimoles per liter of 1(1' phenyl) ethylidene 4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene and a mixture propylene/ethylene having a molar ratio of 0.9 to 1 is employed-. I

After 7 mins. polymerization there are obtained 15.2 grs. of an elastomer which is totally amorphous at X -ray examination and exhibits =2.l0 dl./ gr. and {a content of ethylene, in terms of mols., of 46%.

After curing according to the compound formula of Example 1, the following results are obtained:

Modulus at 300%.elongation kgs./sq. cm 16 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 32 Elongation at break percent 57l Permanent set after break do-- Ex e .1 I

By operating along the lines of Example 1, the reactor,

maintained at C., is charged with 400 mls. of

n-heptane, 18 millimoles per liter of AlHBrN(CH 58 millimoles per liter of 1(1'phenyl)-ethylidene-4,7, 7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 10 millimoles per liter of VCL; and a mixture of propylene and ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.0 to 1 is used. After 20 mins. polymerization there are obtained 7.4 grs. of an elastomer which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits [n]=2.12 dl./ gr. and a content of ethylene, in terms of mols., of 56%. The infrared spectrum of the obtained polymer shows bands in the region of absorptions FCH outside the plane of the cyclo-olefins where the monomer has very intense bands: typical absorptions can be observed at 14.2, 14.85 and 14.35 microns.

After curing according to the compound formula of Example 1, the following results are obtained:

Modules at 300% elongation kgs./sq. cm 11 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 27 Elongation at break percent 7 80 Example 21 Similarly to what has been described in the preceding example, there are employed 400 mls. of n-heptane 8 millimoles per liter of AIH N(CH 10 mls. per liter of a mixture of reaction of butadiene and 6-methyl-6- phenyl fulvene, essentially consisting of 1(1-phenyl)- ethylidine-4,7,7a,3a-tetrah ydroindene, 4-vinylcylohexene-1, and bis-[(3,7)(1-phenyl)-ethylidene]-bicyclopentadiene-l,9, 10 millimoles per liter of VCL; and a mixture of propylene and ethylene having a molar ratio of 2.5 to 1. After 20 mins. polymerization, there are obtained 5.1 grs. of an elastomer which is essentially amorphous at X-ray examination and exhibits [n]=2.05 dl./ gr. and an ethylene content in terms of mols. of 52%.

1'0. Upon-curing according to the compound formulation of Example 1, the following results'are obtained:

Modulus at 300% elongation ..-kgs./sq. cm 12 Tensile strength kgs./sq. cm 35 Elongation at break "percent" 740 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or-privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Sulfur-curable amorphous linear polymers comprispropylene and ethylene in a molar ratio ranging from 0.9 to 1 to 3.0 to 1 an orthocondensed polycyclic polyene containing at least an alkylidene substituent conjugated with a double bond which is part of the cyclic ring and selected from the group consisting of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene;

l-isopropylidene-4-methyl-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene;

1-( 1-phenyl) -ethylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene;

l-isopropylidene-bicyclo- 4.4.0) -decadiene-2,6;

2-isopropylidene-bicyclo-( 4.4.0) -decadiene-3,6;

1-isopropylidene-4-methyl-bicyclo-(4.3.0)

nonadiene-2,5;

3-isopropylidene-S-methyI-bicyclo- (4.4.0

decadiene-4,6;

3-isopropylidene-5 ,8-dimethyl-bicyclo- 4.4.0)

decadiene-4, 6;

a reaction mixture of butadiene and 6,6-dimethyl fulvene, essentially consisting of (a) l-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, (b) bis (3,7) isopropylidene-dicyclopentadiene-1,9, and (c) 4-viny1- cyclohexene-l;

a reaction mixture of butadiene and 6-methyl-6-phenyl fulvene essentially consisting of (a) l(1'-phenyl)- ethylidene 4,7,7a,3a tetrahydroindene, (b) 4-vinyl- =cyclohexene-1, and (c) bis {(3,7) (I-phenyD-ethylidene}-bicyclopentadiene-1,9;

a reaction mixture of (a) 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-

tetrahydroindene, (b) 4-vinyl-cyclo-hexene-1, and (c) bis-(l-IO) isopropylidene-bicyclopentadiene-2,5;

a reaction mixture of a conjugated polyene selected from the group consisting of (a) butadiene, (b) 2,3- dimethylbutadiene, (c) isoprene, (d) piperylene and (e) 1,3-hexadiene, and of a monomer selected from the group consisting of (a) 3-isopropylidene cyclohexadiene-1,4 and its alkyl substituted derivatives and wherein the amount of the ortho-condensed polycyclic polyene is between 1% and 10% by weight of the polymer.

2. Curable unsaturated amorphous linear terpolymers according to claim 1, wherein the polyene monomer is 1- isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene.

3. Curable amorphous linear terpolymers according to claim 1 wherein the polyene monomer is l-isopropylidene- 4-methyl-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene.

4. Curable amorphous linear terpolymers according to claim 1 wherein the polyene monomer is 1(1'-phenyl ethylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene.

5. Curable amorphous linear terepolymers according to claim 1, wherein the polyene component is formed by a mixture comprising 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, 4-vinyl-cyclohexene-1, and bis-(l-lO) isopropylidene-bicyclopentadiene-2,5.

6. Elastomers obtained by sulfur-curing polymers according to claim 1, and having a viscosity between 1.02 dl./gr. and 3.95 dl./gr.

7. A process for the preparation of polymers comprismg introducing a gaseous mixture of ethylene and propylene in a molar ratio ranging from 1 to 0.9 to 1 to 3.00 into a solvent, and

11 introducing into the mixture in solution an orthocondensed polycyclic polyene selected from the group consisting of 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene; 1-isoproylidene-4-methyl-4-7,7a,3a-tetrahydroinden'e; 1-( 1'-phenyl) -ethylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene; 1-isopropy1idene-bicyclo-(4.4.0)-decadiene-2,6; 2-isopropylidene-bicyclo-(4.4.0)-decadiene-3,6; 1-isopropylidene-4-methyl-bicyclo-(4.3.0) nonadiene-2,5; 3 -isopropylidene-8-methyl-bicyclo- (4.4.0) -decadiene-4,6; 3-isopropylidene-5,8 dimethyl-bicyc1o-(4.4.0)

decadiene-4,6;

a reaction mixture of butadiene and 6,6'-dimethyl fulvene, essentially consisting of (a) l-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, (b) -bis-(3,7)-isopropylidenedicyclopentadiene-1,9 and (c) 4-vinylcyclohexene-l;

a reaction mixture of butadiene and 6-methyl-6-phenyl fulvene essentially consisting of (a) 1(l'-phenyl)- ethylidene-4,7,7a,3a-tetrahydroindene, (b) 4-vinylcyclohexene-l, and (0) bis {(3,7) (1'-pheny'l)-ethylidene}-bicyclopentadiene-1,9; A

a reaction mixture of (a) 1-isopropylidene-4,7,7a,3a-

tetrahydroindene, (b) 4-vinyl-cyclo-hexene-1, and (c) bis-(l-IO) isopropylidene-bicyclopentadiene-2, 5, and;

a reactio mixture of a conjugated polyene selected from the group consisting of (a) butadiene, (b) 2,3-

dimethylbutadiene, (c) isoprene, (d) piperylene and (e) 1,3-hexadiene, and of a monomer selected from the group consisting of 3-isopropylidene cyclohexadime-1,4, and its alkyl substituted derivatives in the presence of a catalytic system consisting of a transition metal selected from the IV and V group of the Periodic Table and of an aluminum compound having the general formula Al-RXY wherein R is an alkyl radical of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms,

or a hydrogen atom, X and Y are equal or different,

and can be hydrogen, an alkyl radical of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, halogens or residues of secondary amines.

8. A process according to claim 7 wherein the catalyst system is formed by a derivative of a transitionmetal of the IV and V Group of the Periodic Table and by an aluminum compound of the formula Me-AlR where in Me is an alkali metal and R is an alkyl radical of from" 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a hydrogen atom.

9. A process according to claim 8 wherein the aluminum compound is selected among:

10. A process according to claim 7 wherein the working temperatures are between -30 C. and +40 C.

11. A process'according to claim 10 wherein the working pressures are between 1 and atmospheres.

I References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1959 Fusco et al. 260-82 4/1967 Kahle et a1 260-795 JOSEPH L. SCHOFER, Primary Examiner ROGER S. BENJAMIN, Assistant Examiner us. 01. X.R. 

